New York Midwife Fined $300,000 for Faking Vaccine Records
A midwife in New York has been issued an unprecedented $300,000 fine by the state's health department for endangering lives by giving nearly 1,500 children homeopathic pellets instead of required vaccinations.
Jeanette Breen, who runs Baldwin Midwifery on Long Island, administered the pellets as an alternative to vaccinations and then falsified their immunization records, according to the health department.
The scheme, which dates back to at least the 2019-2020 school year, affected families across the state, with the majority residing on suburban Long Island. In 2019, New York eliminated the religious exemption to vaccine requirements for schoolchildren.
The health department has voided the immunization records of the children who received the falsified records. Their families must now provide evidence that the students are up-to-date with their required shots or are in the process of getting them before they can return to school.
"Misrepresenting or falsifying vaccine records puts lives in jeopardy and undermines the system that exists to protect public health," said State Health Commissioner James McDonald.
A healthcare provider in New York has been fined for falsifying immunization records for school-aged patients. The provider, who is licensed by the state, supplied patients with an alternative to vaccination called the "Real Immunity Homeoprophylaxis Program," which consists of oral pellets. However, these pellets are not recognized or approved by state or federal regulators as valid immunizations. The provider administered over 12,000 of these fake immunizations to approximately 1,500 patients, and then falsely claimed that the children had received their required vaccinations against various diseases. This action not only endangered the health and safety of the school communities, but also undermined public trust, according to the State Education Commissioner.
The healthcare provider's lawyer stated that she has cooperated with investigators, paid her fine, and intends to comply with all other requirements set by health officials. The lawyer also mentioned that the provider has provided excellent midwifery services for many years and is now nearing the end of her career. He emphasized that she considers this matter to be over and closed, and is moving on with her life.
According to Erin Clary, a spokesperson for the health department, the agency's investigation is not focused on the parents and legal guardians who sought out and paid for the services of Breen.
State health officials are currently in the process of notifying numerous school districts that have been affected by this case.
Joseph Giovannetti, the Director of Investigations, described the case against Breen as a "first-of-its-kind investigation."
In a statement, Giovannetti warned that anyone involved in immunization fraud will face enforcement action, as rooting out and preventing vaccination fraud is a top priority for the Bureau of Investigations. He emphasized that the health of communities should not be endangered by illegal activities that abuse public health systems.
